Thanks John, that does look good. Anyone else have any opinions on the book? It's expensive enough ( and won't be in bookstores here ) that I'd be grateful for any further recommendations before ordering it. Thanks again, Iain ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Ferrell" To: Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2003 6:24 AM Subject: Re: [ PIC ] Good book suggestions? > I have just started with the Peatman book, see picbook.com. > It is a college senior level book. I don't find it easy, but I do find it > possible. > I have read Square one's books "Easy Pic'n" and Pic'n up the Pace". Also > Predko's book. Each has some limitations but all are well worth their > prices! > > I bought the book through one of Amazon.com's partners for $62 delivered > (new). Although there is a circuit board included in the first edition.With > my wife's urging I elected to purchase the "lab instrument" and a proto > board for $158 + shipping. My wife's reasoning was that I have done enough > of the building sort of thing that I could better use that time for chores > around here. As usual, she was right. The device worked fine right of the > box. > > I thought I had things good with an MicroChip Programmer and a Pencil Box > Bread Board, but this is a better setup. I can make a change to the code, > compile & load it to the device in about 20 seconds. > > Sometimes the code seems overly complicated to get a job done, but the job > is secondary, education is primary. > > The Lab device has a switch, pot, Dac, LCD, Rotary Pulse generator, leds, > LM34 temp sensor, SPI interface and off board connections. The board > verification program exercises these functions. There is a lot to be learned > from the this device and the code. > > The 18F452 is a big step forward from the 16F628 but there is only a $7 > price difference. A major consideration for volume apps but minor for small > runs. > > If you decide to utilize the circuit board, Digikey has the whole parts kit > under one part number for $57. > > For me, this direction is proving to be the best way to go. > > If you are interested after all of that, go to Picbook.com and download the > block diagram of the instrument and the verification code. > > It has been my experience that a lot of educator's simply put their own > names on their students work and claim it as their own. Peatman acknowledges > the student contributions properly. > > I recomend the book, but it is not a quick read. The only negative I have > about the book is that I would prefer a larger type size. On the other > hand, the target student is not really us Senior Citizens! > > John Ferrell > 6241 Phillippi Rd > Julian NC 27283 > Phone: (336)685-9606 > johnferrell@earthlink.net > Dixie Competition Products > NSRCA 479 AMA 4190 W8CCW > "My Competition is Not My Enemy" > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Iain Duncan" > To: > Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2003 7:56 AM > Subject: [ PIC ] Good book suggestions? > > > > Hi just wanted some feedback. I'm wondering if there are any highly > > recommended books on the new 18F series. I have the Predko book which > covers > > a lot but is really not well written or organized, and I have Sid Katzen's > > "The Quintessential PIC Microcontroller" which is superbly written and > laid > > out, but focuses on the 16F84. I'd like recommendations for stuff that is > > accessible to the beginner but goes into a fair bit of depth, especially > as > > relates to serial interfacing and A/D D/A stuff. ( Specifically midi > > interfacing and sound synthesis applications ) and in particular the > 16F877 > > and 18F452. Also any good books on the electronics side of PIC circuits > that > > are appropriate for beginner electronic people. > > > > Thanks in advance, > > Iain > > > > -- > > http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! > > email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body > > -- > http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! > email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body > -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body